Night Rollers

ABSTRACT

This hair-rolling device provides users with a concealed, aesthetically pleasing, versatile, convenient, affordable, hair friendly method of curling hair and increasing wave span comfortably overnight. The night roller is innovative in its efficiency and results due to the simplicity and hair-friendly qualities of its two components. The inventor came to the realization that revolutionizing such a classic item as the hair roller and making it more effective, requires simplifying the device by eliminating all hair damaging elements.

SUMMARY

A hair rolling device comprising of a bendable elongated core filling embedded centrally within a flexible sleeve that extends from opposite ends to allow for an easy hand-tied closure.

A concealed, aesthetically pleasing, multi-functional, hair friendly method for curling hair and increasing wave span comfortably overnight.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the cylindrical shaped core filling of the roller, the receiving area.

FIG. 2 it's a perspective of the core being bent to show flexibility.

FIG. 3 shows the core filling encased by a sleeve that extends at both ends. The sleeve is approximately double in length compared to the core and extends at both ends for an easy hand-tied closure.

FIG. 4 shows the night roller bent and secured into place by using the sleeve's extended flaps that extends at the opposite ends hand-tie closure.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 & 8 shows step by step how the roller can be operated on user's hair.

FIG. 9 shows a set of rollers on user's hair.

FIG. 10 shows the rollers inside a storing pouch. The rollers are packaged on a clear, plastic pouch, for easy storage and transportation.

FIG. 11 shows one roller used on a high bun-shaped hair roll.

FIG. 12 shows two rollers used on high bun-shaped hair rolls.

FIG. 13 shows a roller used to shape the bangs to the side.

FIG. 14 shows a roller used to shape the bangs in the center.

FIG. 15 shows a roller used on a mid bun-shaped hair roll.

FIG. 16 shows roller used on a low bun-shaped hair roll.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10—core filling -   10A—right end of the core filing -   10B—left end of the core filling -   11—sleeve -   11A—right end of the sleeve -   11B—left end of the sleeve -   12—hand-tie/knot -   13—night roller -   14—bun-shaped hair rolls -   15—transparent pouch -   16—hair -   17—bow

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Unlike anything on the market, the night roller overcomes the limitations, disadvantages and discomfort of the existing rollers by providing users with a concealed, aesthetically pleasing, versatile, hair friendly and comfortable method of curling hair and increasing wave span comfortably overnight.

This is a method that allows the user to roll hair over said roller's body FIG. 7, bend roller into a circle FIG. 4, use the extended sleeve's flaps to secure into place 12 with an easy hand-tie 17 and fan the rolled hair circularly over the entire surface of the roller in a bun-like shape 14 for added volume.

The night roller is a hair rolling device 13 comprised of an elongated, cylindrically shaped, lightweight, flexible core filling defining a receiving area 10, positioned centrally within a fitted, strong, flexible, tear-resistant sleeve 11 that extends from opposite ends 11A & 11B to allow for a hair friendly hand-tie closure 12. The sleeve is sewn shut at both ends.

The rod is a polyethylene foam, a “Domestic End Product” as defined in the Buy American Act, Title 41 USC 10 and meets all of the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act. It is non-allergenic, non-exuding, moisture repellent and nonabsorbent, virtually dust-free, has superb strength, shock absorption, tear resistance, it is impervious to mildew, mold, rot and bacteria.

The sleeve's length is approximately double in relation to the core, although these proportions may vary. The overall length and diameter of the preferred embodiment can differ to satisfy the needs of users having different lengths of hair.

By way of example and not limitation, typical dimensions for the night roller include a body circumference ranging between ¾ inch and 1 inch and a length ranging between 5 to 7 inches from side edge to side edge. The end tie strips, are between ¾ and 1 inch wide and extend laterally between 3 and 5 inches in each direction.

The above exemplary sizes should not be interpreted in a limiting sense. No attempt to specifically limit the present invention to these illustrative dimensions is intended. Various changes and modifications can be made, it can have different density and weight and come in different shapes and materials.

OPERATION

A method of rolling hair and increasing wave span overnight or daytime by using the night roller is further provided. It includes the steps of dividing hair into sections, placing hair 16 in the receiving area of the roller 10, rolling each hair portion over the roller's body and over itself FIG. 6 beginning at the hair's ends FIG. 5 all the way up to the roots FIG. 7, bending the roller's core 10 into a circular shape and securing into place by using the fabric sleeve's panels 11A & 11B extending from opposite edges of the sleeve's body 11, with an easy hand tie 12 and a bow 17. The rolled hair is then fanned over the entire surface of the roller FIG. 8 in a bun-like shape 14 to result in a greater wave span.

Preferred and alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16. The night rollers can be used as a set of seven FIG. 9 or in any number preferred. Can be paired FIG. 12, or used alone for bangs FIG. 13 & FIG. 14, setting the hair on a high FIG. 11, mid FIG. 15 or low FIG. 16 bun-like shape ponytail rolls.

ADVANTAGES

The night roller is a concealed and esthetically pleasing device that can be worn anytime, anywhere in a wide variety of ways, revealing voluminous curls after removed. It provides a firm support but it is comfortable enough for prolonged use or when lying down to sleep.

The sleeve eliminates the use of inside wires and the danger that comes with them poking through.

The hand-tie closure resulted from the extended sleeve's panels, eliminates the use of hair damaging materials used for closures.

The device's core of predetermined diameter is elongated and cut to an optimal size, providing an auxiliary extension that increases the effective length of rolling surface and accomplishes a greater span of wave.

DISADVANTAGES

Hair rollers have been in use for hundreds of years and they come in numerous styles shapes and designs, but while operable for curling hair, they are often uncomfortable and undesirable for prolonged or overnight use, because they are hard, heavy, bulky, and uncomfortable interrupting sleep patterns and causing neck pain.

Exposed foam and sponge curlers tend to cause hair ends to tangle, split or damage. The wires used inside of the existing foam roller's core can perforate the foam and sleeve and damage the users scalp. Repeated bending of the wire, causes the wire to can snap, making them unusable.

Rubber and plastic end caps, clasps, elastics, pins or Velcro are commonly used for closures. Such abrasive materials can catch, pull or brake user's hair causing damage, hair thinning and even hair loss.

To protect the hair against unfriendly materials, some hair rollers have been covered on a variety of materials such as silk, satin other quality-like materials, but the slick and slippery proprieties of this kind of fabric makes it hard to secure into place as they slide off with ease. Covering the body of the roller with a fabric sleeve does not fix the problem of the hair coming in contact with hair unfriendly materials, since the closures remain made of harsh materials.

If worn overnight, they don't stay into place and are more often found in or around the bed instead on the user's head the next day.

Furthermore such rollers have a limited rolling surface and are limited to being used in a particular manner and offer very little flexibility in the choice of forming, waving or curling.

BACKGROUND

In our fast moving world, women, especially mothers, are so involved with work and family duties that they are often left with little or no time for maintaining well groomed hair. Being able to achieve voluminous, beautifully curled hair in a concealed, aesthetically pleasing manner, overnight, is something women have desired and been dreaming about since the beginning of time.

As can be seen from the prior art listed below, all rolling devices use components made of hair unfriendly materials that can catch, pull or brake user's hair causing hair damage, thinning or hair loss.

Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0016456 issued to Kamilah Ayisha Rashied, discloses a hair roller made of materials as wire and hard plastic encased in satin or quality like material.

Patent Application Publication No. 2007/7195020 issued to C. S. HIRSCH discloses a hair roller that uses wires and clamps.

Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0016456 issued to Cheryl L. Bird discloses a hair roller incorporating the features of a hardened plastic core combined with an outer foam. A satin, silky material is used for the covering and a clamp inwardly directed with serrated teeth mounted about the spindle mechanism that secures with the core.

Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0136421, issued to Larry A. Fenster and Fritz Hostettler discloses a hair roller that is held into shape and into place by a bendable inner core. The roller's core and outer skin goes to a series of complex, complicated, chemical process treatments that are expensive and time costly.

Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0136421, issued to Janice R. Trent discloses a foam type roller covered with a fabric that is mounted on the core, and a bail pivotally attached to the tubular core. The foam roller which is mounted on a relatively rigid tubular core, with the core having a bail attached that fits over the roller to secure hair to the roller. The cover is attached by drawstrings positioned at the end of the cover. The closure is an elastic band.

Patent Application Publication No. 2001/6283128, issued to Roxanne Saxton discloses a cylindrical hair roller, having a solid core made of plastic or other hard material, surrounded by an inner porous cellular foam layer inner layer made of cellular material, an intermediate velvet layer surrounding the inner layer and an outer satin layer enclosing the inner layer and the intermediate said satin layer.

Patent Application Publication No. 1995/5411040, issued to Melody L. Forrest discloses a fabric hair curler with means for restraining hair laterally, comprising of a fabric body defining a receiving area for hair between opposite side edges, comprising on at least one separable dowel loop. Harsh materials such as snaps, buttons, and rib and groove closures are used as closure. The method of claim 4, requires heating the hair before performing the step of placing a portion in the receiving area. The method of claim 7 includes partially drying and heating the curled hair.

Patent Application Publication No. 1982/4310008, issued to Mary S. Lalli discloses a hair roller comprising in a resilient cylindrical member, a tubular netting surrounding the resilient cylindrical member and tabs for securing the ends of the netting in juxtaposition to one another in mutual contact. According to claim 6, the tubular netting and the resilient cylindrical member are unattached to one another and the resilient cylindrical member is hollow.

Patent Application Publication No. 1985/4540006 issued to Harvey E. Collis discloses a roller for curling hair comprising of a length of wire covered by an extruded plastic sleeve within an elongated cylindrical jacket of cushioning, bendable material. In a preferred embodiment the length of wire is terminated at each end by an end cap extending transversely to the wire and retaining the jacket in location with respect to the wire. Cellular foamed polyethylene surrounds the sleeved wire. The wire is not bonded to the jacket. A mushroom-shaped end cap is fixed at each end of the plastics-sleeved wire by insertion of the coated wire as a tight fit into the socketed stem of the end cap. The end caps thus prevent the foamed-polyethylene jacket from sliding and being displaced from the wire core.

Patent Publication No. 1936/2061817 issued to PAUL VAN CLEEF disclosed a hair curler formed of a substantially cylindrical length of soft, readily compressible, sponge rubber with a porous outer face, and a soft metal core for holding the ends of the body in their bent position extending longitudinally through the center of the body and having the ends there of terminating slightly inwards of the ends of said body.

In Patent Application Publication No. 1961/2542601 is described a curler that comprises on an elongated body made of soft, compressible sponge rubber and an elongated soft metal core disposed in and extending longitudinally throughout the central portion of the-body and having its ends terminating with enlarged knobs at its end extremities.

Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0042890, issued to Wilma Speelman discloses a hair styling kit comprising of a flexible wand, a shaper that when is bent it maintains whatever shape it is bent into. It has a width, a length, a height, and a surface area, a body portion and opposing end portions wherein said wand has a surface area, and wherein said wand surface area is covered with VELCRO™. The hair styling kit of claim 7, further comprising of a headband, wherein said headband has a stiffness such that said headband will stay in place on a wearers head, and further wherein said headband has a surface area covered with a high friction material as VELCRO™.

Patent Application Publication No. 1950/2524266, issued to Y. I. LICASTRO discloses a hair curler comprising a hair curler comprising a single flexible fabric sheet doubly folded once and then doubly folded again to define two oblong substantially rectangular double layer sections in overlapping relation, the fold edge between said sections having adjacent” there to and extending along a slit. The edges of said slit being buttonhole stitched, to finish said edges and to fasten the two sheet panels formed by the first folding operation together. Said fastening elements being secured to said sections by means, which fastens the overlapping sections together. From the sketches looks like the fasteners are metal or plastic snaps.

Patent Application Publication No. 1994/5372152, issued to Geraldine C. Dutch, discloses a hair roller comprising of a length of bendable wire having looped outer ends, a cylindrical cushion of resilient foam and a flexible outer jacket made of material selected from the group of materials consisting of satin, silk, and satin-like synthetic fiber material.

Patent Application Publication No. 1997/5694955, issued to Y. Colem Grooms discloses a hair holding device comprising: a soft deformable core foam rubber having two ends and a rolling surface. There are two protruding members, one protruding member extending from each end of said core. Said slender protruding member is a wire passing through said core, sufficiently long and pliable to bend over said core.

Patent Application Publication No. 1998/5771907, issued to Deanna R. Dickson discloses a hair roller comprised of an elongated central core formed from a soft, resilient material and extending between said first and opposite ends, a soft outer covering surrounding said central core and forming a surface around which the user's hair can be rolled. A first and second fasteners located respectively at first and opposite ends so as to be mated to one another for connecting the ends together in a closed loop. First fastener is a snap and said second fastener is a snap catch. 

1. A hair rolling device comprising on a bendable core filling embedded centrally within a flexible sleeve that extends from opposite ends to allow for an easy hand-tied closure.
 2. The hair roller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve's extended flaps are approximately double in length in relation to the core, allowing for a hair friendly, easy hand-tied closure.
 3. The hair roller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve is stretchy, non-slippery and tear-resistant.
 4. The hair roller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said core filler body is elongated providing an auxiliary extension, to increase the effective length of the rolling surface and create a greater wave span.
 5. The hair roller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said core filler body is cylindrically shaped, lightweight, flexible, non-absorbent and moisture resistant to prevent the depletion of hair's natural oils.
 6. A concealed, aesthetically pleasing, multi-functional method for curling hair and increasing wave span comfortably overnight, comprising in acts of rolling hair over said roller's body, bending said roller's core into a circular shape, securing into place with a hair friendly, easy hand tie closure and fanning the said rolled hair over the entire surface of the said roller in a bun-like shape for added volume. 